Meet Karen Gillis! Karen is the proud owner of Red Rooster Winery.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My brother, he’s challenged me my entire life, but he has also been a great support system. It’s a relationship that has always worked well because we don’t live in the same city. It’s been this way since he went away for uni.
What is your favourite local store in Penticton and why?
Tough call, it’s between The Bookshop on Main and Wounda’s. I love to lose myself in books but I love baked goods too.
Describe yourself in one word.
Simple.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Hong Kong, it’s where my parents are from, I haven’t been there in ages and I want to experience the wine culture there.
What is your favourite activity in Penticton?
I love my work, that seems really sad when you write it down but I get to interact with so many people, and when people frustrate me I go to the vineyard.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Harvest work can be tough on your clothes, and as such, I have a collection of random older jeans, shorts, pants to wear during the season, every couple years that thin spot just doesn’t see you through the season, I’d say each time my pants split!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
As a simple person, everything becomes inspiring, so many people around me have beaten the odds and come out on top of health to mental wellness. I choose to use their stories to motivate me when I’m feeling low.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Family trips to the waterslides in Penticton! It was the highlight of so many summers, it always came with climbing trees and picking your own fruit, too.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I focus my volunteer time most often within the wine and grape industry. I love fostering young minds and helping people that are interested in becoming part of our industry. Over the last few years I've worked with a UBCO program; women in wine, science and engineering. The students are amazing, full of dreams and energy, I think I get more out of it than they do.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
World Peace….I’ve always wanted to say that, why can’t people just be good and get along, do no harm to people, place, or things.
Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
Couldn’t tell you, I wouldn’t be alone if I did!
Where would you like to see positive change in Penticton and why?
Homelessness. It’s cold here in the winter, I hope that everyone has warm shelter.
What do you think makes Penticton great?
There are lots of hidden little gems of green spaces, trails, and beaches. So many things to do outdoors and enjoy the environment.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Travel the world, eat everything, drink lots.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I’m pretty much an open book…..but a total hermit.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
I’m not the best with my own social media, but I would recommend checking out on Instagram, you’ll see me and the team hard at work (and play) there on occasion!
What is the name of your business/organization?
Red Rooster Winery.
Why did you get into/start this business?
Dumb luck, I got a call from a friend of a friend to work in a winery, I like sensory science, so I jumped at the chance.
What is the goal of your business?
Making great wines sustainably, providing a fabulous experience and having amazing food on our patio.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Balance….if anyone knows how to achieve that, please let me know.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn’t want to do things the same twice, that would be boring, but I’d end up in the same place for sure.
What do you always find yourself saying?
My job never feels like work, I work with great people, every day I leave smiling because of the people I work with.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
So corny…. Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s so true.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I’d want to spend the day with my mom.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
As a person who works in a local business, it’s the only way. I want my friends and neighbours to succeed and stay in the most incredible place in the world. If we didn’t shop locally, we wouldn’t survive, then who am I going to play with?
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I’ve had the pleasure of working with some fabulous winemakers, it’s great to see them continue to follow their dreams, some staying in wine and some on a different career path, to know that I had a hand in their growth is like having children I suspect.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Dale Thomson – the old guy who keeps pushing me in all sorts of directions, I don’t thank him enough for being my cheerleader, he’s shown me all sorts of things in Penticton I would never have found on my own.
My choice for the PentictonNow In Focus spotlight is:
Richard Kanazawa, that guy cracks me up all the time. You gotta to see him at his winery, you’ll leave with your bellyaching.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
